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Exercise guide
Incline Push-Up
A beginner-friendly push-up variation with hands elevated on a bench or step.
What this exercise works
- Muscles
- pectoralis major · anterior deltoid · triceps brachii
- Goals
- hypertrophy · endurance
- Equipment
- No equipment
- Category
- Strength
- Difficulty
- beginner
Demonstration
Step 1
Step 2
How to perform the movement
- Place your hands on a bench or elevated surface, shoulder-width apart.
- Extend your legs behind you into a plank position.
- Lower your chest toward the bench by bending your elbows.
- Push back up to the starting position.
- Repeat.
Technique cues and common mistakes
- Check that the elevated surface is stable before starting.
- Keep your elbows tucked rather than flared out wide.
Make the movement easier or harder
- Progress to a lower surface as you get stronger.